We love to make pasta because there are so many ways you can make them and there are so many different types of pasta. Pasta is super easy and quick to make and that's why I love making it for my family. Being a stay at home mom of two, I love quick, easy and delicious meals that everyone including the kids will enjoy. And oh yeah, it's also a great way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.
For this particular pasta dish, I used Linguine added onions, shrimp. sliced red bell pepper and spinach. You can always just use Rigatoni as well or or other pasta. Penne, Macaroni, Cellentani, Rotini, Spaghetti or any pasta type of choice. all will go well with this recipe.
Making the creamy sauce:
For this particular sauce I used heavy whipping cream, and yes, I know it is not the healthiest option but you can substitute with half and half , however the only issue will be that the sauce might be a little to thin. In this case you will need to add a little bit more cream cheese to thicken it. You can also use lower fat cream cheese. We typically use 1/3 less fat and it works perfectly fine with creamy sauces.
Tip 1 : When boiling the pasta, always add a little bit of olive oil and salt to the water
Tip 2: You might need a little extra cream cheese cheese if you feel like the sauce is still to thin, feel free to add in more cheese and besides you can never have to much cheese right?
Here's How to make it:
RECIPE:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Boil pasta, cook 2-3 minutes under
Prep Vegetables, Slice 2 red bell peppers, dice 1 medium onion and roughly chop about 3 cups of spinach.
Heat 1 tbsp or 2 tbsp of olive oil, add in your diced onions, red bell pepper, spinach, salt, black pepper, ground chili powder, and dried oregano and cook for about 3 minutes on medium heat or until spinach is cooked and red bell pepper are tender and sautéed nicely. Once ready set aside.
In the same pan heat 1 tbsp of olive oil, add in your grated or finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, ( about 30 seconds or so, make sure not to burn the garlic).
Now add in your heavy whipping cream, 3-4 tbsp Philadelphia cream cheese, shredded parmesan cheese and whisk together until smooth. Add salt to taste, black pepper and juice of 1/4 a lemon and cheese and whisk together for about 2 -3 minutes until sauce thickens and well incorporated. Whisk until at the right consistency.
Add in your pasta, sautéed onions, spinach and bell peppers. Add additional seasoning if needed. Add in more cream cheese if sauce seems to be a little thin. However, if sauce seems to thick add in a little bit more of heavy whipping cream and gently combine well . Let cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Top it off with a little bit bit more cheese and sprinkle of crushed red chili flakes , fresh or dried parsley flakes and lemon. Enjoy while hot.
RECIPE:
This recipe serves about 4-6 people
3/4 16 oz box of Linguine
1 lb peeled and deveined raw shrimp
2 tbsp olive oil
black pepper to taste
salt to taste
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3-4 tbsp Philadelphia cream cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
3-4 garlic cloves
1 medium onion Diced
2 red bell pepper (sliced)
3 cups chopped spinach or whole
1/4 of a lemon squeezed
1 tsp dried or fresh parsley to sprinkle on top
Seasoning for vegetables
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp crushed chili flakes (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
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